Pediatria Współczesna Title Breastfeeding - the gold standard of infant nutrition Karmienie pokarmem matki złotym standardem żywienia noworodków i niemowląt Authors Barbara Kowalewska-Kantecka Abstract Benefits of breastfeeding both for the child and for the mother are presented in this article. In breastfed neonates and infants the risk of respiratory and digestive tract infections and generalized infections is reduced. One of the distant effects of breastfeeding is a decrease of incidence of certain autoimmune diseases. The positive influence of breast milk components (such as growth factors, cytokines, anti-bodies, immunocompetent cells, lactoferrin) on alimentary and immunological system function in newborns (particularly the premature infants) and young children is described in the article. The pediatrician's essential role in the promotion of natural feeding is emphasized. Keywords breastfeeding, neonates, infants, breast milk PW, 2007;9/1:65-68 PDF version « spis treści